Surgical finger splint



April 1, 1941- E. E. LONGFELLCIDW 2.237. 5

SURGICAL FINGER SPLIN'I Filed Dec. 19, 1938 INVENTOR. BY MW ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 1, 1941 SURGICAL FINGER SPLINT Earl E. Longfellow, Warsaw, Ind., assignor to Harry Herschel Leiter, Warsaw, Ind.

Application December 19, 1938, Serial No. 246,567

8 Claims.

This invention relates to finger splints, and an object thereof is to afford a splint for applying fixation as well as extension to any one of the phalanges without encumbering the metacarpals.

Another object of the invention is to construct the splint in such manner that when properly applied to an injured finger and a digit adjacent thereto, counter extension as well as extension is applied to the injured finger and maintained during the period of convalescence without unnecessary encumbrance to the uninjured members of the hand.

And a further object of the invention is to provide as a part of the splint a detachable arcuate support for the injured finger whereby to sustain the injured finger in a curved position where such is desired.

Other objects and advantages of the invention appear in the following description.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan viewof the splint applied to fingers of a hand;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation projected from Fig. 1;

bar used in connection with the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

.25 Fig. 3 is a side View showing a modified form Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the base frame of the splint; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an arcuate support which is applied to the base frame as shown in Fig. 3.

The illustrative embodiment of the invention consists of a base frame preferably formed of sheet metal shaped to form a cradle I for an injured finger l, the cradle being provided with upturned side shields 2 and 3 adjacent its rear end. The shield 3 has a rearward extension 4 that is folded forwardly and terminates to a position subtantially parallel with and spaced apart from the shield 2. The forward end of said extension terminates with lower and upper lateral flanges 5 and 6 to form a saddle adapted to receive sidewise therein, an uninjured finger 6' adjacent the injured finger to provide a rest therefor. The folded end I of the extension 4 constitutes a crutch that rests and bears in the crotch of the injured and adjacent fingers so that rearward'movement of the base frame with respect to the fingers is thereby definitely limited.

The base frame has spaced from its forward end a threaded bolt 8, provided with a thumbnut 9 by which is secured, against the lower face of the cradle I, an extension bar Iii that is provided with a longitudinal slot I! through which the bolt extends, whereby to permit longitudinal adjustment of the extension bar with respect to the cradle. The outer extremity of the extension bar is perforated and upturned to form an anchor lug l2 for a tension spring l3 one end of which is attached thereto. The opposite end of said spring preferably has in connection therewith a yoke M the outer ends of which are backturned to form hooks l5 which are adapted to have connections with the corresponding projecting ends of a skeletal pin I6 that is inserted through the end portion of the injured finger so that when the extension bar Ii! is adjusted outwardly and the spring thereby is placed under tension, extension is correspondingly applied to the injured finger in opposition to counter extension occasioned by hearing of the clutch in the crotch of the fingers. In this manner the injured finger is maintained in proper fixation aided by the adjacent finger which is positioned in the saddle.

Other means may be used to form the connection between the traction spring i3 and tip of the injured finger, such for example, as an ordinary spacer and adhesive tape, or by cementing a wire loop (not shown) to the nail and connecting the loop with the spring. The method shown consisting of the yoke and skeletal pin is merely exemplary as any other form of attachment may be substituted instead.

After the splint is in proper position a bandage is applied around the splint as to encompass the injured and uninjured fingers, and then secured in place by use of ordinary adhesive tape. Or, if so desired, a plaster cast may be applied.

In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 6, an arcuate support I1 is provided that preferably has a longitudinal groove I8 in its upper surface and a projecting bent lug H! at one of its ends that is inserted through an opening 2% made in the cradle l near the rear end thereof so that when the support is in operative position longitudinal movement thereof in the cradle is prevented. Also, when the arcuate support is used, it is desirable that the outer end portion of the extension bar ll] be bent downwardly so that the pull of the tension spring on the finger tip is in such direction as tends to hold the injured finger l' down upon the support while extension is applied thereto.

Preferably, the folded end I of the extension is such that the cradle and saddle are held spaced sufiiciently apart as to permit of wrapping a bandage around the injured finger and the cradle therefor separately from the saddle, which is of convenience in applying the bandage and afiords greater comfort tothe patient as only a very light tape or bandage is required to hold the uninjured finger 6' in the saddle.

The splint thus formed and applied permits the two fingers secured in the splint to move freely at the knuckle joints, upwardly and downwardly, while the other digits are left entirely free.

Variations from the particular construction above disclosed may readily be made by exercise of ordinary skill without departure from the spirit or scope of the invention, and the following claims are intended to be inclusive of such variations.

What I claim is:

1. A surgical finger splint having a base fram shaped to form a cradle for an injured finger and a saddle to provide a rest for an uninjured finger adjacent said injured finger and a connecting part between said cradle and saddle constituting a crutch adapted to fit in the'crotch of said fingers when the splint is in place, a bar adjustably secured to said cradle and extending beyond the outer end thereof, a tension spring one end of which is secured to the outer end of 5 said bar, and a means for connecting the opposite end of said spring to the tip of an injured finger when positioned in the cradle.

2. A surgical finger splint having a base frame shaped to form a cradle for an injured finger 35 and a, saddle to provide a rest for an uninjured finger adjacent said injured finger and a connecting part between said cradle and saddle constituting a crutch adapted to fit in the crotch of said fingers when the splint is in place, an arcuate GLO finger rest detachbly secured in said cradle, a bar adjustably secured to said cradle and extending beyond the outer end thereof, a tension spring one end of which is secured to the outer end of said bar, and a means for connecting the if finger and a saddle for an uninjured finger adja- 6 cent said injured finger, said cradle and saddle having a connecting part constituting a crutch adapted to fit in the crotch of said fingers when said frame is in place, and adjustable means in connection with the cradle for applying extension to an injured finger when positioned in said cradle in opposition to counter traction afforded by said crutch.

4. A surgical finger splint having a base frame adapted to confine an injured finger and an uninjured finger adjacent thereto for simultaneous movement independently with respect to the other fingers of a hand, said frame having a crutch adapted to fit in the crotch between said confined fingers when said frame is in place, and a tension means in connection with said frame adapted to be connected with and apply extension to the injured finger confinedin said frame.

5. A surgical finger splint having a base frame provided with members applicable individually to an injured finger and an uninjured finger adjacent thereto and to the crotch between said fingers respectively, whereby when said fingers are secured in the corresponding members independent movement of said fingers with respect to each other is prevented, free movement of the other fingers of the hand is permitted, and means in connection with said frame connectable with said injured finger adapted to apply extension thereto.

6. A surgical finger splint having a base frame provided with connected members applicable individually to an injured finger and an uninjured finger adjacent thereto respectively, whereby when secured in the corresponding members independent movement of said fingers with respect to each other is prevented and free movement of the other fingers of the hand is permitted.

'7. A surgical finger splint having a cradle for an injured finger, a saddle for an uninjured finger adjacent said injured finger, a crutch member applicable to the crotch between said fingers, connected with and supporting said cradle and saddle in positions spaced apart from each other, and traction means in connection with said cradle for applying extension to said injured finger.

8. Asurgical finger splint having a cradle for an injured finger, a saddle for an uninjured finger adjacent said injured finger, and a crutch member applicable to the crotch between said fingers, connected with and supporting said cradle and saddle in positions spaced apart from each other.

EARL E. LONGFELLOW. 

